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The Greek Australians elected to seats in Victoria’s local councils

Andriana Simos
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The Greek Australians elected to seats in Victoria’s local councils

In this year’s local government elections in Victoria, there were 67 Greek Australians running in 24 councils and shires. With the election now officially over, The Greek Herald can report that 18 of those Greek Australians have been elected to seats. That number could grow as results continue to come in from councils such as Brimbank and Warrnambool.

Here’s the list of the elected Greek Australians so far:

1. Fiona Mitsinikos, Banyule City Council (Hawdon Ward):

Fiona Mitsinikos was elected as the new Councillor for Hawdon Ward in the Banyule City Council.

In a Facebook post after the election result was announced, she thanked the community and her family for their support during her campaign.

“I’ve met some fantastic residents as I hand delivered 6000 brochures every week for 3 weeks. We’ve chatted, we’ve laughed, talked about their concerns & hopes for Hawdon & now I’m so excited to be able to make a change,” Mrs Mitsinikos wrote.

“I look forward to meeting many more residents over the next 4 years as we work together for Hawdon & Banyule.”

2. Emily Dimitriadis, Darebin Council (South East Ward):

A hospital pharmacist and human rights lawyer, Emily Dimitriadis works to support multicultural and refugee communities, assist survivors of family violence and push for social and gender equality.

In September, Emily told The Greek Herald that she was running for the South-East Ward of Darebin because she had “lived her whole life” there and she wanted “to make a positive difference.”

READ MORE: Meet eight of the Greek-Australian female candidates running in Victoria’s local council elections.

After the election results were announced, Emily took to Facebook to thank her supporters.

“A big thank you to all the residents who took the time to contact me to discuss issues that mattered. I encourage you all to keep reaching out to me so we can make Darebin the best it can be,” she wrote.

3. Peter Dimarelos, Banyule City Council (Olympia Ward):

4. Peter Kotsos, Baw Baw Shire (East Ward)

5. Nick Stavrou, Boroondara (Studley Ward):

Nick Stavrou’s slogan for his election campaign was “To Better Serve Our Community,” and it looks like his message resonated with Studley Ward residents.

In a Facebook post, Mr Stavrou thanked residents for voting for him, saying he will “honour” their trust moving forward.

“To everyone who voted for me, I thank you and say to you that I am truly humbled by the privilege, trust and honour you have bestowed on me, and pledge that I will honour this trust,” Mr Stavrou wrote.

6. Virginia Tachos, Brimbank (Horseshoe Bend Ward):

7. Tony Athanasopoulos, Glen Eira Council (Rosstown Ward):

Tony Athanasopoulos was re-elected for a second term on Glen Eira Council. He wrote on Facebook that he was “super proud and excited” to be returning.

“Thank you for all the support. Now it’s time to get the job done!” Mr Athanasopoulos wrote.

8. Joseph Haweil, Hume Council (Aitken Ward):

Joseph Haweil is a Greek-Syrian councillor and he was re-elected to a second term on Hume City Council. He secured a 24 percent increase on his 2016 primary vote.

“My immense appreciation to all those who supported my campaign not only by voting for me but also by calling friends and family, making a campaign contribution, putting up corflutes and posters and getting the word out through social media. I owe this success to you all,” Mr Haweil wrote on social media.

9. Sophie Ramsay, Melton Council (Coburn Ward):

Sophia Ramsey (nee Kantartzopoulou) has been a Councillor in Melton City Council since 2001 (5 terms) and has held the position of Mayor for four times (2002-2003,2005-2006,2014-2015,2016-2017).

Re-election is a pleasing result for her, especially as she has been a local resident of Coburn Ward for over 30 years.

“l love this community, l was brought up with strong family values of giving back to the community and serving them for the past 19 years has been an honour,” Mrs Ramsey told The Greek Herald in September. “This community inspires me daily.”

10. Paul Klisaris, Monash Council (Mulgrave Ward):

READ MORE: Complete list of 67 Greek-Australians running in local elections in Victoria.

11. Tasa Damante, Maroondah Council (Wicklow Ward):

Tasa Damante is a proud Greek Australian who has been elected to her seat of Wicklow Ward in Maroondah Council.

Damante already has exciting infrastructure projects in the works for her precinct, including the new multi-level carpark at Devon St in Croydon and the Croydon Community Wellbeing Precinct.

“I look forward to getting our local businesses back on track after a very difficult year, and working with business and industry leaders, together with education providers and all levels of government, to make Maroondah an economic, jobs, and commercial hub in the outer-east,” she wrote on Facebook after her victory.

12. Theo Zographos, Monash Council (Oakleigh Ward):

“What an honour. Thank you so much Monash,” Theo Zographos exclaimed on social media once election results were released and he was re-elected to the seat of Oakleigh Ward.

Zographos is excited to be working with the community for the next four years.

13. Helen Pavlidis-Mihalakos, Moreland Council (North-East Ward):

Helen Pavlidis-Mihalakos was successfully elected as a councillor in the North-East Ward. On social media, Helen wrote that she was “humbled and deeply grateful” for the support she received during her campaign.

“My sincerest and heartfelt thank you to my family, friends and the many volunteers who have ‘walked’ this journey alongside me,” she wrote on Facebook.

“I will work hard over the next 4 years to make Moreland a greater place to live, work and play.”

14. Angelica Panopoulos, Moreland Council (North-West Ward):

Angelica Panopoulos grew up in Glenroy and is currently studying law, international studies and the Greek language.

Her election to Moreland Council is something she’s extremely excited about, writing simply on Facebook: “Maybe I’ll have some more eloquent words later but for now wooooo!!!”

15. Lambros Tapinos, Moreland Council (South Ward):

Lambros Tapinos was re-elected to the Moreland Council seat of South Ward with 4,924 votes.

“I am honoured to have been re-elected to Moreland City Council. I would like to thank the voters in South Ward for putting their trust in me to represent them,” Tapinos wrote in a Facebook statement.

“I look forward to getting back to work for you and making Moreland an even better place.”

16. Jim Doukas, Moyne Shire Council:

17. Jami Klisaris, Stonnington Council (East Ward):

Jami Klisaris has been a Councillor for Stonnington City Council for eight years.

At the age of 20, she became Stonnington’s youngest Councillor and the youngest female Councillor elected in the 2012 Victorian Local Government elections. In November 2016, Jami became Stonnington’s youngest Mayor at 24, serving until November 2017.

Her re-election means she will serve the community for another four years.

She has studied at Monash University, completing an Arts and Law degree, and she currently works for the Australian Public Sector. Her parents are from Evia and Crete.

18. Melanie Likos, Strathbogie Shire Council, Lake Nagambie Ward:

Melanie Likos says she’s “proud” to be elected to the Strathbogie Shire Council seat of Lake Nagambie Ward.

“Thank you to everyone who supported, encouraged and voted for me during this campaign,” she wrote on social media.

Paniyiri held in Canberra to mark the 108th anniversary of the liberation of Lesvos

The Greek Herald
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Paniyiri held in Canberra to mark the 108th anniversary of the liberation of Lesvos

By Evelyn Karatzas.

On Sunday, November 8, a special commemoration paniyiri for the liberation of Lesvos was held by the Mytilenian Association of the Canberra District at St Nicholas Church in Kingston, Canberra.

The name day of the Greek National Army and the Archangels Michael and Gabriel were also commemorated on the day.

With the support of the Mytilenian Association and the Greek Orthodox Community of Canberra, a special church service was held, followed by an amazing paniyiri with lots of music, dancing and great food.

People danced in commemoration of the liberation of Lesvos.

The Canberra Hellenic Dancers, Atalanti group, came dressed in traditional Northern Aegean costumes and performed three traditional Greek dances.

In attendance was the Ambassador of Greece, Mr George Papacostas, the High Commissioner of Cyprus, Mrs Martha Mavrommatis, President of Greek Orthodox Community of Canberra, Mr John Loukadellis and President of the Mytilenian, Ayia Paraskevi Association, Mr Dimitris Manikas.

The Canberra Hellenic Dancers performed on the day.

There were 170 people in the newly erected marquee and as the ouzo flowed, guests enjoyed souvlakia and octopus and were entertained by Atalanti Dance Group from the Hellenic Club and DJ Stavro, who kept the island tunes going.

The President of the Mytilenian, Ayia Paraskevi Association, Mr Dimitris Manikas, shared his thoughts on the event stating: “Everyone helped us, young and old, and everything went well. Everyone was very happy.”

  • President of Greek Orthodox Community of Canberra, Mr John Loukadellis (left).
  • Hundreds turned up to the paniyiri.

When asked about the celebrations today, the Ambassador of Greece, Mr Papacostas, shared: “With the coronavirus outbreak in Greece, there is a lockdown that does not apply to Canberra. Of course there are restrictions in Canberra, but I can see here that the community and church respect the laws. It was a very nice celebration and very well organised.”

President of the Greek Orthodox Community of Canberra, Mr John Loukadellis, added: “It was an enjoyable and important day in our history and our faith, to be able to celebrate these dual events is an honour and made our community come as one and commemorate the islands liberation and also acknowledge our Archangels.”

St Nectarios Burwood mark 100 years since the passing of their patron saint

Andriana Simos
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St Nectarios Burwood mark 100 years since the passing of their patron saint

St Nectarios Burwood today commemorated 100 years since the repose of their patron saint with a special church service officiated by His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia and priests from across Sydney.

Due to coronavirus restrictions, only 50 people were able to attend the service, but parishioners continued to flock to the church throughout the day to light a candle and venerate the Holy Relic of Saint Nectarios.

“Hundreds of people usually come to venerate Saint Nectarios on his feast day as he is a much-loved saint and known for many miracles. But due to COVID-19, we weren’t allowed to have as many people this year,” Father George Liangas tells The Greek Herald.

“It was still a very poignant service and we hope that once restrictions lift, we are able to mark this occasion, as well as the 50th anniversary of our church, and recognise all those people who have contributed significantly to our parish community.”

READ MORE: St Nectarios Burwood marks 50th anniversary with touching ceremony.

During the service, Archbishop Makarios gave a short speech discussing his personal connection to Saint Nectarios, who was the Dean of the Rizarios Ecclesiastical School where the Archbishop studied.

This was followed by a small luncheon with His Eminence, Father George Liangas and other Priests, as well as board members of the Parish-Community, including the President Penelopy Kioussis, the Ladies Philoptochos and other church officials and volunteers.

READ MORE: Life of St Nectarios the focus of insightful talks organised by St Nectarios Parish Burwood.

Cretan community of Sydney commemorates the holocaust of Arkadi

Andriana Simos
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Cretan community of Sydney commemorates the holocaust of Arkadi

The 154th anniversary of the holocaust of Arkadi was commemorated on Saturday with a special sit-down dinner organised by the Cretan Association of Sydney & New South Wales at the school hall of St Spyridon College.

The event, which honoured the over 1,000 Cretan men, women and children who were massacred by the Ottomans in Arkadi, featured live music by the Iho Nyx band, as well as COVID-safe performances by the Cretan Association’s dancing groups.

READ MORE: On This Day: The holocaust of the Arkadi Monastery in Crete.

In attendance were His Eminence Archbishop Makarios, the Consul General of Greece in Sydney, Mr Christos Karras, the Vice President of the Cretan Federation of Australia and New Zealand, Maria Lagoudakis, and representatives from Delphi Bank.

“The Annual Arkadi Dinner is very important for us Cretans. Whether it is over 600 people like last year’s event or this year’s due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we will never forget our ancestors sacrifice and have a duty to educate the next generations,” President of the Cretan Association of Sydney & NSW, Terry Saviolakis, tells The Greek Herald.

His Eminence Archbishop Makarios was also in attendance.

“We have endured restrictions and challenges for eight months now, but we have to remember that our ancestors experienced restrictions and challenges for centuries under Ottoman rule.”

On the night, the 2020 ‘Megalonisos’ award was presented to husband and wife, John and Irene Lagoudakis, for their service and voluntary effort to the Cretan association.

“The award was given to John and Irene on the night as they were surrounded by their four children and nine grandchildren,” Mr Saviolakis says.

  • John and Irene Lagoudakis, pictured here with their family, were the winners of the Megalonisos award. Photo: Facebook.

“They were recognised for their outstanding support over the years from holding dinners, lunches, meetings and dance lessons at their home, to accommodating musicians and guests and cooking at events.”

A silent auction was also held over the course of the night and raised $650 for the Children’s Cancer Institute and $700 for the Hellenic Initiative, who fund career and mentoring programs for disadvantaged students in Cretan schools.

Clearly it was a memorable night for all, despite the current coronavirus restrictions in place.

One child dead, six refugees missing as boat capsizes near Samos island

Andriana Simos
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One child dead, six refugees missing as boat capsizes near Samos island

One child has died and six people are still missing after a boat carrying 24 refugees from Turkey to Greece capsized near the island of Samos early on Sunday.

The Hellenic Coast Guard recovered the child’s body in the Aegean Sea and rescued eleven people who were stranded in the water, including a pregnant woman.

Later in the day, six more people were located and rescued.

As the boat originally carried 24 people, there is a total of six people still missing after the tragic event.

According to unconfirmed reports by Norwegian NGO, Aegean Boat Report, among the missing were two pregnant women and two children.

Greece under lockdown: Empty streets, police checks and COVID deaths at record high

Andriana Simos
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Greece under lockdown: Empty streets, police checks and COVID deaths at record high

After a spike in COVID-19 cases, Greece entered a second nationwide lockdown in the early morning hours of Saturday.

Greeks lined up outside of shops on Friday to buy essentials before the lockdown but now, the once-bustling streets are notably empty. Few people can be seen walking their dogs or going out for exercise.

The lockdown, which will last until November 30, resembles the initial lockdown in Greece in spring.

Movement will be limited to essentials, all retails stores have closed and travel between regions is banned.

This is the second nationwide lockdown for Greece in as many months. Photo: The Greek Herald.

Secondary schools have closed, switching to distance learning. Kindergartens and primary schools remain open.

READ MORE: Greece to enter second nationwide lockdown.

Authorities have also reintroduced a system obliging citizens to send text messages to a government number to leave home to work, shop, visit a doctor or take exercise.

Police have been stationed around the country to ensure citizens are observing the anti-virus measures.

For those who don’t, they can expect a fine of 300 euros. Employers who provide false movement permits for employees will also be fined 500 euros, while companies that operate in violation of the new measures and the lockdown face fines of between 3,000 and 5,000 euros.

Record 35 deaths from COVID-19 announced:

The lockdown comes just as Greek health authorities announced a staggering 1,914 new cases of the coronavirus, including a record 35 deaths, on Sunday.

Of the country’s 1,063 intensive care units, 734 are occupied, 259 with coronavirus patients.

The total number of confirmed cases in Greece since the start of the pandemic is 56,698, with 734 deaths.

The death toll from coronavirus has spiked in Greece. Photo: ekathimerini.

Researchers at the chemistry department of the University of Athens have also analysed waste in Athens and estimate that 1.5 to 2 percent of the capital’s 4.2 million population are active coronavirus carriers, which would mean 63,000 to 84,000 individuals.

Disinfectant crews hit town:

The Athens municipal authority has launched a daily mass disinfection program in public spaces in the city center and its neighborhoods.

The cleaning and disinfection operation targets busy public ares like squares, sidewalks, metro and ISAP train stations, police stations and churches, as well as areas around hospitals, pharmacies, supermarkets and bakeries.

According to an announcement by the municipality, about 200 employees with the assistance of 80 vehicles are “working feverishly, day and night, actively participating in the effort to contain the coronavirus pandemic and protect public health as much as possible.” 

Remembering the victims of the Arkadi Monastery holocaust in Crete

Andriana Simos
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Remembering the victims of the Arkadi Monastery holocaust in Crete

On this day in 1866, one of the bloodiest events in modern Greek history took place at the historic Monastery of Arkadi in central Crete. To mark this important liberation event, we take a look back at its history.

Before the holocaust:

Under Ottoman occupation, many Cretans felt they were being mismanaged and as result, the Pancretan Assembly sent a report to the Sultan on May 14, 1866, with a series of demands.

They called for: an improved tax system, respect for the Christian religion, the right of Cretans to freely elect their elders and measures to be taken for the economic development of the island.

At the same time, they sent a secret memorandum to the monarchs of England, France and Russia, calling on them to act for the unification of Crete with Greece.

The Great Powers were indifferent, while the Greek government declared neutrality and did not openly take the side of the revolutionaries. Only Russia moved actively thanks to its deputy consuls on the island, Ioannis Mitsotakis and Spyridon Dendrinos.

Not expecting help from anywhere, the Cretans decided to rise up on their own and raise the flag of the Revolution on August 21, 1866, with the slogan “Union or Death.”

The Arkadi Monastery battle:

The Sultan was alarmed by the uprising and sent Mustafa Nailis Pasha on August 30, 1866, with an order to suppress it.

Mustafa Pasha arrived outside the Arkadi Monastery on the afternoon of November 6, 1866. He had at his disposal 15,000 men (Turks, Albanians, Egyptians and Turkish Cretans) and heavy artillery.

Inside the monastery, were rebels and almost 1,000 men, women and children from nearby villages seeking refuge from the encroaching Turks. The leaders of the Cretan revolt were Peloponnesian lieutenant, Ioannis Dimakopoulos and abbot of the monastery, Gabriel Marinakis.

The holocaust of the Arkadi Monastery in Crete.

The Turkish commander demanded surrender at the monastery walls. The Cretans responded with gun fire and the monastery gates were stormed as a violent battle ensued.

Eventually overwhelmed by the Turk’s superior numbers, all of the Cretan rebels were killed, leaving about 700 helpless women and children holed up in the monastery compound’s storage room, which had been repurposed for gun powder and explosives.

Soon the Turkish soldiers surrounded the massive warehouse filled with people, and at the most opportune moment, a rebel named Konstantinos Giaboudakis gathered the consensus of all inside to do the unthinkable — ignite the gun powder and die, en masse, as free Greeks.

The ensuing explosion also killed more than 1,500 Ottoman soldiers.

Legacy of the holocaust:

The Holocaust of Arkadi ignited a new wave of Philhellenism in Europe. 

The Holocaust of Arkadi moved the whole Christian world and a new wave of Philhellenism was created in Europe. 

Great personalities of the time, such as Giuseppe Garibaldi and Victor Hugo, took a position in favor of the Cretan Struggle and foreign volunteers rushed to support the Revolution. The financial contributions from Russia and the USA were also important.

The Cretan Revolution fully erupted in January 1869, with the Sultan unable to completely subdue the Christians of Crete. 

Thus, under pressure from the Great Powers, he was forced to grant the “Organic Law” (February 3, 1868) – a kind of Constitution which provided privileges for Christians and a semi-autonomous status for the island. 

The union of Crete with Greece was postponed for 1912.

Insight or Perspective: If we lose the language we lose everything!

The Greek Herald
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Insight or Perspective: If we lose the language we lose everything!

By Eleni Elefterias.

(PART 2)

In the past, sending your child to Greek school was a big commitment. In the 60’s and 70’s students attended Greek school usually three times a week for two hours each time. That is a total of 6 hours a week!

Classes at the time were full, with some having up to 60 children in one class. These days they may only attend for a couple of hours and with only be a handful of students in the class. 

In the past, not all Greek teachers were qualified, some had not even completed Yr 12 level in Greece, and few had completed any formal teacher training. Anyone who had some education could teach in an afternoon school.

These days, especially with the recent intake of migrants from Greece, we are more fortunate to have highly educated teachers though, still, not all are trained teachers. 

There is also an expectation from the parents and grandparents that their children will become fluent in Greek if they send them to Greek afternoon school. This is highly unlikely for many reasons.

READ MORE: Insight or Perspective: If we lose the language we lose everything (Part one)

The first being that a couple of hours a week is not adequate, especially when they go home and speak English with their parents and grandparents. Also, there are no incidental situations where they can put what they are learning to practise. There is no need in their everyday life to communicate in Greek.

Therefore, our expectations of Greek Afternoon School has to change. The role of the school is to lay the foundations of learning Greek; the teaching of literacy, the love for the language and the culture in the hope that, when they grow older, they will realise it is worthy of learning and will be able to pick it up quicker.

So are private lessons better than class instruction? Next week I will discuss the pros and cons of each. 

*Eleni Elefterias-Kostakidis is a teacher of Modern Greek and University lecturer. 

Read Eleni Elefterias’ column ‘Insight or Perspective’ in Greek, every Saturday in The Greek Herald’s print edition or get your subscription here.

‘Little Anastasia’ and her DIPG fight

The Greek Herald
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‘Little Anastasia’ and her DIPG fight

‘Little Anastasia’ was feeling very excited about her seventh birthday, looking to spend that time with her close friends and family. However, she was instead inside a hospital, being diagnosed with an aggressive form of childhood cancer – known as DIPG.

DIPG, or diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma, is a type of brain tumor found in an area of the brainstem known as the pons. The disease primarily affects children, with most diagnoses occurring between 5 and 7 years of age, also making up up 10-15 percent of all brain tumors in children.

Anastasia was hospitalised at the Children’s Oncology Hospital “Elpida”, where doctors told her parents that she was unable to receive any treatment, giving Anastasia six months to live.

Xenia and Elias, as any mother and father would do in their place, looked everywhere for similar cases to that of Anastasia. Together, they found a glimmer of hope at a clinic in Houston, Texas, with great specialisation in the disease. The parents, having conversations with patients who have succeeded, have given them immense courage for the struggle ahead.

“Everything happened in a flash and we are called to make life decisions, which is not humanly possible to make overnight,” the parents write in a fundraiser page.

“What we can say is that we will do everything for help our little Anastasia.”

Piggy banks organised by the Municipality of Pylos-Nestoros. Photo: MessiniaLive

Hearing the news of Anastasia’s condition, the mayor of the Municipality of Pylos-Nestoros, Panagiotis Karvelas, instructed that piggy banks be placed in all stores in the Municipality, as well as in schools of all levels of education.

Currently, there is still no effective treatments for DIPG, with only 10 percent of children with DIPG surviving for 2 years following their diagnosis. However, Anastasia’s parents are calling for any assistance possible to help their daughter travel to the United States and hopefully undergo this miracle treatment.

Suspect admits attacking Greek Orthodox priest in Lyon over personal dispute

The Greek Herald
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Suspect admits attacking Greek Orthodox priest in Lyon over personal dispute

A suspect has admitted to the shooting of a Greek Orthodox priest in the French city of Lyon last week over a personal dispute, prosecutors have said.

The 40-year-old suspect told prosecutors the priest was having an affair with his wife.

The priest, Nikolaos Kakavelakis, 52, was shot twice with a sawn-off shotgun outside his church on 31 October.

He spoke to police after coming out of a coma on Wednesday.

The shooting came days after three people were killed in a knife attack at a church in the southern French city of Nice.

It was initially feared to be a copycat of what French President Emmanuel Macron called an “Islamist terrorist attack” in Nice. 

READ MORE: Suspect in Greek Orthodox priest’s shooting freed, search widens in France

The motive for the shooting in Lyon was not clear at first, with officials opening an investigation for attempted murder

But the investigation progressed this week when the priest was able to talk to the police.

The suspect, who is said to be of Georgian nationality, was arrested at his home in Lyon on Friday, French newspaper Le Parisien reported.

The newspaper, citing a statement from Lyon’s public prosecutor, Nicolas Jacquet, said the suspect “turns out to be the husband of a woman who was having an affair with the victim”.

The suspect told prosecutors he had not intended to kill the priest, who was romantically involved with his wife, a 35-year-old Russian, the newspaper said.

The priest, who is recovering after surgery, had announced his resignation from the church a month earlier.

Source: BBC News

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